Summer is here – and it’s the perfect time to put your property on the market.

Price expectations among sellers remain strong after 21 months of successive value increases. 

And the environment of mortgage serviceability remains consistent despite our disappointment in the failure of the Reserve Bank of Australia to reduce interest rates.

If you’ve been seeing some negative comments about the real estate market in the past few weeks, let’s put that into perspective.

Average values have continued to rise and have now registered 21 successive months of growth. 

The national annual growth rate is 6%. However, it will be stronger in our local area for many property types and locations. 

The value of your home will depend not just on its location and size, but also the number of local buyers seeking your style of property.

A second influencing factor on the market is that  many owners decided to wait until spring to sell their homes, and this has led to a spike in supply. 

Consequently, value growth has been adversely affected because buyers suddenly enjoyed a wider choice of properties and a stronger negotiation position.

Putting your home on the market for a late summer or early autumn campaign would be the ideal time to pick up the buyers who’ve missed over the last few months. 

Experience suggests these buyers are keen to strike a deal after frustrating weeks or even months hunting for their dream home in the summer heat. 

Below, we offer some hot summer tips on how to prepare your property for sale to maximise its value and sell as quickly as possible.

Keep Your Cool: 

Set the air-conditioning to a comfortable temperature before your Open House or buyer inspections. If you don’t have A/C, open windows to allow a breeze to cool everything down. If you’re worried about the heat inside your home, talk to your agent about timing inspections for early or late in the day.

Summer Scents: 

Infuse your home with fresh summer scents. Consider diffusing essential oils like citrus or lavender, or placing bowls of fresh fruit around the house.

Let the Light In: 

Open blinds and curtains to maximise natural light and create a bright and airy atmosphere.

Cut the Clutter: 

Declutter and depersonalise living spaces to create a sense of spaciousness, and allow buyers to envision themselves in the home.

Lush Landscaping: 

Don’t underestimate the impact of a beautiful summer garden. Mow the lawn, trim hedges, weed flower beds, and add colourful flowers.

Sparkling Pool: 

If you have a pool, ensure it’s crystal clear and well-maintained. Consider adding poolside furniture and accessories to create a resort-like feel. Make available pool-related paperwork so prospective buyers can be confident you have maintained the pool properly.

Cool Down: 

On really hot days, it’s a nice idea to offer cool drinks for those who come to see your home. A jug of iced tea or lemonade can take the edge off a hot day of property inspections.